Forbes Travel Guide performs independent, incognito inspections of all hotels we rate. This is what we paid when we stayed at this hotel.

Rates can vary widely by room type and season. "We Paid" is intended to give a general sense of price, but you might find considerably different rates for your trip.

When we book, we aim for the optimum season for the destination, but we avoid holidays and major public events, when prices are highest. We generally book a room at one category up from the most basic.

We take advantage of promotional rates, when possible. That means the rate you see above might have included other benefits, such as spa or meal credits.

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

We are the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas.

We verify luxury. Our highly trained inspectors visit every property we rate, evaluating based on up to 900 objective criteria. Our hotel stays span a minimum of two nights.

We pay our own way. No one can buy a rating; all ratings are earned through our objective inspection process.

Our global team of inspectors are anonymous at all times, so they have the same experience as a typical guest.

While we inspect both service and facility, our Star Rating system emphasizes service because your experience at a hotel, restaurant or spa goes beyond looks — how it makes you feel is what you will remember most.

We created the original Five-Star rating system in 1958, when we were Mobil Travel Guide.

Five-StarThese are outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities.

Four-StarThese are exceptional properties, offering high levels of service and quality of facility to match.

RecommendedThese are excellent properties with consistently good service and facilities.

Soon To Be RatedAs our highly trained, incognito inspectors work to assess properties, our editors check them out ahead of time and provide a sneak preview of what to expect.

Originally constructed in the 1950s, the resort got a facelift from Allen + Philp Architects before opening as Sanctuary in 2001. The haute hideaway continues to be renovated almost annually, recently with the addition of 24 new spa casitas. Other accommodations range from luxury mountain casitas to loaded mini-mansions.
Sanctuary’s restaurant, Elements, blends Asian and American cuisines into demiurgic dishes like kimchi bacon and hoisin-braised short ribs.

Bartenders at adjacent Jade Bar pour an array of craft cocktails to pair with the lounge’s scenic views.

SHARE

Our Inspector's Highlights

See the sun sink between Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak during the resort’s daily sunset ceremonies. Have champagne salutes on the shaded patio and grassy slopes outside the restaurant.

Enjoy exclusive access to Camelback Mountain hiking trails, which are a short walk or complimentary golf cart ride away, along with resort-provided backpacks stocked with water and healthful snacks.

The Scottsdale hotel was formerly John Gardiner’s Tennis Ranch, and during the 1970s, luminaries including Billie Jean King, Johnny Carson, Elton John and Liza Minnelli swung rackets here.

Jade Bar’s top-notch bartenders, led by head mixologist Eddie Garcia, teach lessons in libations to a cozy class (limited to 20 guests) every Saturday at noon. Class costs $40 per person (preregistration required) and includes three to four artisanal drinks garnished with slices of cocktail history and philosophy.

Sanctuary’s infinity-edge pool is a cell-phone-free zone, and accessible to adults only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, when guests must be 16 and older to make a splash.

There’s a great view from every room at the luxury hotel, but when only the best vistas will do, book one of the Camelback Suites. These new one- or two-bedroom suites (1,000 and 1,500 square feet, respectively) proffer sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and Paradise Valley, which twinkles like a little universe at night.

The Restaurants

Sanctuary offers 24-hour room service, but Elements boasts a beautiful setting. Champagne chandeliers, 1,000 bottles of wine in the wall and a fire pit provide a lovely atmosphere for dining.